Footing shouldn't be problem for Huntley, Marmion
The Red Raiders hope to get off on the right playoff foot when No. 15 Huntley (5-4) takes on No. 2 Marmion (8-1) in a Class 6A first-round game in Aurora tonight at 7 p.m.
Actually, good footing won't be a problem for either team. The game has been moved from host Marmion's grass home field, which has been plagued by standing water, across town to the year-old artificial turf at Aurora Christian (2255 Sullivan Road), thus avoiding the weekly mudfests that have taken place since mid-September.
The Red Raiders, in the playoffs for the third time in school history and second year in a row, like the switch.
"We have not played on turf this year and that's why we like it," Huntley coach Steve Graves said. "I know it will give them an edge. Their No. 22 (Matt Pircon) is a burner and they like to run what is called the buck sweep. Looking on film you just can't analyze their speed with them playing in the mud, so we understand it could give them a strong advantage with their speed.
"But I don't look at it that way. We have kids who would love to have that experience this year. They know it's a turf field and whether that makes a little difference or not really doesn't matter to me as much as letting these seniors have that fun experience. They've played so much of their season in rain, mud and slop that we're just enthusiastic to go and play on that no matter what the consequences are."
Good traction should also help Huntley, the largest school in 6A with an enrollment of 1,967. The Red Raider offense has gained 2,070 yards this season with 1,520 coming via the ground attack, which is led by senior running back Brett Kleckner (110 carries, 704 yards, 9 TDs), junior quarterback Tim Lycos (104-364-3) and 245-pound senior fullback Marcus Popenfoose (53-201-2).
Lycos has completed 30-of-86 passes for 472 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has been intercepted 5 times.
Until this season Marmion had not won a conference title (Suburban Christian-Blue) or reached the playoffs since 1998. Like Huntley, Marmion is primarily a running team. Of its 2,356 total yards, 1,771 have come via the rush. The Cadets have speed to burn with Pircon (38 carries, 226 yards, 5 TDs) and Adam Andras, both of whom enjoyed big days last week in an 18-7 victory over Montini. Senior fullback Bobby Winkel (6-2, 220) has rushed 119 times for 482 yards.
Marmion quarterback Brian Peters has completed 25-of-57 attempts for 409 yards and 2 touchdowns.
"They have a couple of real speedsters that, if they get through the front line, they're gone," Graves said. "We don't have anybody who can run with them anywhere on the team. They've got two players that will leave us in the dust, so you have to get those guys before they get through the line of scrimmage or you're going to be in for a long night.
"I wish that was it, but their tackles are in the 275-(pound) range and they're very physical. Their running backs are very good sized and they love to run power football too."
The winner will advance to face the winner of No. 10 Prairie Ridge (6-3) at No. 7 King (7-2), which will be played at Chicago's Lane Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.